While many of their peers used a break from school to take things easy this fall, 15 Templeton Middle School students and four teachers were busy on an extended field trip seeing the many historic and educational sites of Washington D.C.

The students and staff used a 4-day weekend to visit several Smithsonian Institute museums, Ford’s Theater, Mount Vernon, the Holocaust Museum, National Archives, Navy Museum, the White House and war memorials – including the new World War II Memorial.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. While there, Templeton students witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following the guard changing, Templeton students Chase Wandel, Andrea Rosenbecker, Danielle Lehman and Brittany Pavloski participated in the wreath-laying ceremony. The wreath was purchased by the Templeton Student Council and was placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The gesture was an expression of respect and honor for the many men and women who contributed to U.S. freedom and democracy.